Paper structure



June 30, 1936. A, GENTER 2,045,849

PAPER STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 20, 1955 Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE Application zlzznlflsjzi i No. 55,481

My invention relates to a decorative and/or ornamental material. Therefore one of the important objects of this invention resides in the' provide a decorative paper manufacture which may be used as a covering for shelves or similar structures, and in numerous'other relations, the

material of the invention being economical in manufacture and combining ornamental features with excellent wearing qualities and resistance to bending and tearing.

The ornamental attractiveness of my material; together with itsinexpensive nature permits it to be packaged in a rolled condition for shipment and storage. When such packages are opened and the ornamental shelving applied to any shelf, its very nature eliminates any tendency of the ornamental portion to hang in an unattractivemanner. It can be caused to hang sheer and does not crimp or bulge in an unsightly manner. In fact in some instances it may be desirable to have the shelving hang in rhythmic longitudinal waves for decorative purposes. Should this be the case, the nature of its surface aids in producing a general decorative eifect.

An important feature of this shelf covering material is that it may be manufactured in sheet form and rolled up into cylindrical or flat packages for shipment and yet the material when unrolled, will lie flat and has no tendency to lie in waves as is characteristic of materials that have been rolled for a considerable time.

Another-feature distinguishing the present decorative material is its resistance to transverse flexure as contrasted to and notwithstanding its longitudinal flexibility or rollability. The longitudinal flexibility of the material adapts it for use particularly to irregularly shaped shelves, table tops, ledges and similar objects. That is, the longitudinal flexibility allows the material to conform to curves and corners without bulging or wrinkling, and yet the transverse stiifness of the material prevents it from curling at the corners and lower edge and thus materially adds to its appearance.

The material of the invention is provided with a reinforcing means of such a nature that it is not subject to tearing in ordinary use. Thus, if, under unusual circumstances, the material is cut or damaged, there is no tendency for the damaged portion to become a starting point for progressive failure of the material until the entire strip is destroyed, which desirable property is due entirely to the improved reinforcing means.

The merit of the material lies not only in its unique structural advantages, but it has the further advantage of being inexpensive to manufacture and remarkably durable. Preferably, it is manufactured of paper and cellulose products, which may be of different grades and of various similar and/or contrasting colors and designs to add to its attractiveness, thereby imparting a Heretofore, material usedfor similar decorative purposes has been made of treated cloth, intricately perforated paper, plain corrugated paper and such. In comparison with cloth ornamentation for shelving, my'material involves so much less expense that one is enabled to make frequent changes in colors, configurations and decorative motives. material made to imitate lace work, my material offers far greater decorative possibilities and likewise at less expense because the manufacture of intricately perforated paper material requires very expensive perforating dies. Furthermore such paper lace work for shelving readily curls and becomes torn and unsightly.

Paper shelving, such as that disclosed in Patents 1,895,040 and 1,895.041 are not adapted to be packaged for storage and shipment in a rolled condition. In fact, the shelving disclosed in these patents is so made that it can be shipped and stored in flat condition only. In order to prevent such shelving from longitudinally crimping and bulging, the vertical member or members 'of the shelving of Patent 1,895,041 are purposely provided with longitudinal reinforcing members in the form of visible bands which extend longitudinally of the In comparison with paper shelving shelf edge and this feature constitutes the novelty of the patent. It will be seen from-the following that my ornamental shelving is purposely not reinforced in the sense of Patent-1,895,041, is much simpler in construction, permits the shelving to be readily rolled for packaging, and when unrolled for use, provides a shelving of simpler and greater decorative merit. As before mentioned, it can readily be made to hang from. a shelf either sheer or in decorative longitudinal waves according to any desired effect.

Plain corrugated paper can be and has been folded over shelf edges for shelving purposes. However, such usage involves bending the corru-. gated material across the corrugations.

Such corrugated paper cannot be easily bent across the corrugations without producing an unsightly crease, while that corrugated portion which lies flat on the shelves to which it is attached, collapses under the weight of various articles resting upon it, becomes of an uneven nature, collects dust and other fine materials which are difficult to remove and is therefore impractical for such use.

Through the utilization of this novel material, provided by my invention, shelves in kitchens, cupboards, pantries, closets, stores, oflices, etc., may be transformed from an unsightly to a very attractive appearance with a minimum of labor and initial expense, and without mutilation to any wood or metal work by tacks, nails, adhesive, etc. When used for display purposes in windows or other exhibition places my improved material will possess a high degree of attractive appearance.

It may be used in summer camps, cottages, resortsand such in cheaply, easily and effectively decorating in keeping with various surroundings or for various holiday celebration purposes. The colors can therefore run the full range of the spectrum and the decorative configuration can be without limit in variation in order to fit the surroundings and occasion for which the ornamental material is used. It can be readily manufactured in patriotic colors for such holidays, white for Easter, orange for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, etc., all with other appropriate decorations; or, it can be red and properly formed to suggest flame, while the suggestion of cold can be produced by the use of an icicle configuration and crystalline decoration of my shelving. It will thus be seen that the nature of the shelving provided by my invention can receive a great variety of coloration and decoration and be used for a large number of decorative purposes.

It will be understood that the present invention comprises an ornamental material having a relativelythin tough paper backing material flexible in all directions and opaque, translucent or transparent to which is adhered in superposed relation over a portion of the backing material a corrugated layer of paper or paper-like material. The extended portion of the backing is relatively smooth and is adapted to rest substantially fiat upon the supporting shelf or other structure and is of substantial area to sustain andcsuspend the corrugated layer without the necessity of attaching means. The extended portion of the backing therefor covers a substantial area of the shelf and readily adapts itself to any irregularities in the surface thereof as well as conceals the same from objectionable exposure. The corrugations of the depending portion are preferably vertical and not only produce a very attractive appearance but assure uniform rigidity against transverse buckling and curling.

motifs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the appended drawing and accompanying description,

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the decorative material;

Figure'2 is a plan view at line 2-2 of Figure 1 of the material shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevation at line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing one example of border configuration;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modification of the construction shown by Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows in perspective a further structural modification;

Figures 6 and '7 show single" and double extended shelving backing respectively;

Figure 8 shows in perspective a portion of the corrugated material with its extended backing being formed into a roll.

By the expression paper or paper like, I mean .all cellulose products in sheet form, such as the stantially a flat backing strip of flexible material,

preferably paper, adhered to and extending beyond a longitudinally flexible corrugated material 2, also preferably of paper. The extended backing strip I, may be embossed, colored distinctively or plain white, provided with a printed design, or possessed of a combination or combinations of Preferably, the extended portion of backing I is of substantial area and flexible longitudinally and transversely, being formed of tough thin paper which is translucent or transparent but may be opaque. Edge 3, of the extended strip of backing material may be straight or scalloped to form a secondary decorative effect or motif. This strip I serves the double purpose of providing a covering for the shelf or support shown for purposes of illustrationat 5, and to support the depending corrugated ornamental element 2 without the use of objectionable tacks or adhesive materials. An article 4 is shown by broken lines in Figure l, resting on the extended backing i, to hold the combined covering and decorative material fixed, the substantial area of the extended portion of the backing resting on the shelf surface assuring that the material will not slide from the shelf under the weight of the corrugated portion.

The lower edge 6 of said depending corrugated element 2 may be straight or out, either manually or mechanically to any desired ornamental configuration. The depending or draped corrugated element 2 may also receive color decorations by the combined features of inexpensive manufac-' ture, ability to conceal unattractive or unfinished front and top surfaces of shelves, and providing the maximum of variety and attractiveness in a border or drape decoration. Further, the extend ed exposed portion of the backing lies neatly upon the shelf surface and the depending corrugated element 2, cannot curl outwardly, inwardly, or

flat condition and is folded along the edge I of the backing in a manner to conform to the shelf edge. This edge I in some cases may be per-'- forated or slit in an ornamental manner if desired but this is not necessary since the backing material is tough and thin and is readily creased without danger of tearing. A

The rollability of the material is of particular importance in that the structure contributes to this result whereby the material is not mutilated when put up in package form, and moreover,

the vertical corrugations prevent bulging while the flat relatively thin exposed extended portion of the backing is of an area to provide not only concealment of the shelf surface but to sustain the weight of the corrugated depending portion.

The fold line I, since the extended portion of the backing I is not corrugated, is easily produced to form a neat and uniform folded edge parallel to the edge 3 and adjacent to the end of the corrugated material, the latter forming the relatively stiff dependent ornamental border. If it is desired to use a relatively heavy flat backing layer I, it is sometimes desirable to weaken the backing by scoring or perforating along the intended line of fold I to facilitate folding. As stated, however, this is not necessary, and in practical application of the invention, the user removes as much from the roll as desired, and folds the composite structure along the fold line 'II whence it may be at once applied to the shelf without need of attaching means.

Referring to Figure 4, an intermediate strip of flexiblematerial 8 such as paper and which is longitudinally flexible is adhered to the cormgated layer 6 and to the folded edge portion 9 of the backing I. As shown, the folded edge portion 9 extends downwardly from the shelf. In Figure 5, a similar construction is employed in which the folded edge portion 9 is folded upwardly as shown at III. These constructions have advantages in certain cases but in each instance, the articles of Figures 4 and are longitudinally flexible'as with the constructions previously described so that they may be formed into a roll as shown in Figure 10. The fold line I may, as heretofore described, be perforated or otherwise weakened.

preferably substantially less than the exposed extended portion of the backing I whereby, when the backing I is folded as shown in Figures 1 to 5, it will sustain the depending corrugated portion against slipping from shelf. In some.

cases, however, the extended portion of the backing I will be of less area than the depending or ornamental corrugated portion as shown in Figure 2 where the edge of the backingis indicated by dotted line 3'. The intermediate strip 8 shown in Figures 4-and 5 may likewise be of a still material although it may simply be another layer similar to the backing. This intermediate strip oi layer 8 is of an area to subtend the corrugated area.

In all cases, longitudinal flexibility is provided whereby the constructions may each be rolled to the form shown in Figure 8 and when applied to a shelf, the vertically disposed corrugations assure against any bulging.

In Figure 7 I have shown a backing strip I upon which is centrally superposed and adhered a layer of the corrugated material 2 or a layer of the corrugated material united by the intermediate strip 8 to the backing. The edge 5 is formed by ornamentally cutting the composite structure along the line A--B whereby two rolls or strips of my improved covering material will be formed. In Figure 6, the corrugated material layer is adhered to one edge portion of the backing I and the design is ornamentally severed along the line C-D. This construction provides for the formation of a single strip or roll of the covering material.

Beside ornamentally trimming the corrugated portion and/or in addition to such trimming, it has been already pointed outthat stencilled or printed decorative designs can be given the corrugated portion. Therefore the material leaving the machine can pass through mechanical stencilling or printing devices as well as through mechanical trimming devices. Likewise, the strip of corrugated material can be of any color or combination of colors and receive its decorative color or other printed or stencilled design before it is placed in the corrugating and backing machine. Although it is preferable and may be necessary to ornamentallyput such shelving after leaving the corrugator, perforating and cutting may be resorted to before corrugating and backing, and as paper of any color or combinations of artistic colors may be used for both the corrugated and backing sheets, such paper or papers can be given any desired ornamental printed, stencilled or colored design or designs before they are placed in the corrugator, or before said papers enter the corrugator.

Corrugated material is frequently decorated for window display purposes by spraying through a template in order to produce designs. As such stencil spraying produces figures on the corrugated surface which turn out to be blurred or fuzzy at the bottom of the corrugations, such stencilled images can be applied to the paper before it goes through the corrugating rolls. such cases it may be necessary to distort the image stencilled on the uncorrugated material. The corrugating process will then restore the true image so that when it comes out of the machine adhering to the backing the decorative stencflling will be normal in proportions and appearance.

As before emphasized the finished shelving is longitudinally flexible so that it can be readily rolled for shipment and storage as shown in Figure 8, wherein theaxis of the roll portion shown is seen to be parallel to the corrugations of the corrugated facing. The material can be rolled directly after it leaves the corrugating and backing machine, or after it has been properly cut or decorated. Its nature is such that it can be easily rolled and unrolled or folded in successive fiat strips or rolled into fiat bolts as desired either before'or after final decoration and use as ornamental shelving. Such rolling or folding for shipment or storage will not cause disturbing creases or impair the decorative properties of this material when it is used for shelving because the corrugated material with its backing is very flexible parallel to the corrugations and the axis of the rolled, folded or bolted packages. This feature is in no wise true of the paper shelving shown in previous patents.

The designs illustrated herein are purely for the purpose of illustration and example. -Therefore while I have shown such examples and illustrated a conventional corrugating machine rolled longitudinally, comprising a sheet of fiexible material defining a shelf engaging portion, and an ornamental corrugated sheet connected to and overlying a portion of the first sheet with the ends of the corrugations terminating in the uncovered area of the first sheet, said corrugated sheet adapted to depend from the shelf engaging portion when the first sheet is folded longitudinally.

2. A decorative shelf covering capable of being rolled longitudinally, comprising a sheet of relatively smooth, flexible, paper-like material defining a shelf engaging portion, and an ornamental corrugated sheetoi' paper-like material superposed upon and adhered to a portion of the first sheet throughout the area of the corrugated sheet, with the ends of the corrugations terminating in the uncovered area of the first sheet, said corrugated sheet adapted to depend from the shelf engaging portion and be exposed when the first sheet is folded longitudinally.

3. A decorative shelf covering capable of being rolled longitudinally, comprising a sheet of CERTIFICATE Patent No. 2,045,849

the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

ALBERT L. CENTER.

flexible material defining a shelf engaging portion, and an ornamental corrugated sheet connected to and overlying a portion of the first sheet, with the corrugations extending transversely of the first sheet, said corrugated sheet adapted to depend from the shelf engaging portion when the first sheet is folded longitudinally along a line adjacent the ends of said corrugations. l

4. A decorative shelf covering capable of being 10 rolled longitudinally, comprising a sheet of relatively smooth, flexible, paper-like material defining a shelf engaging portion, and an ornamental corrugated sheet of paper-like material superposed upon and adhered to a portion of the first sheet throughout the area of the corrugated sheet, with the ends of the corrugations terminating in the uncovered area of the first sheet, said corrugated sheet adapted to depend from the shelf engaging portion and be exposed when the first 20 sheet is folded longitudinally, the exposed portion of the first sheet being of substantially greater area than the area of the corrugated portion.

5. A decorative laminated flexible shelf covering material comprising a backing layer, a second 5 layer connected to and overlying a portion of the backing layer, and an ornamental corrugated layer adhered to and overlying said second layer, the exposed area of the backing layer constituting a shelf engaging portionand said ornamental 3 corrugated layer adapted to depend therefrom when the backing layer is folded longitudinally.

6. A decorative laminated flexible shelf covering comprising a backing layer, a second layer adhered thereto and overlying a portion of the backing layer, and an ornamental corrugated layer adhered to and overlying said second layer, said laminated covering being folded along a line adjacent said corrugated layer whereby the backing constitutes a shelf engaging portion and the corrugated layer depends therefrom.

'I. A decorative laminated flexible shelf covering comprising a backing layer, a second layer connected to and overlying a portion of the backing layer, and an ornamental corrugated layer 45 adhered to and overlying said second layer, said backing line being folded along a layer within the confines of said corrugated layer to form a shelf engaging portion lying in a plane below the adiacent edge of the depending corrugated layer.

' ALBERT L. GENTER.

OF CORRECTION.

Julie 30, 1936'.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of Page 4, second column, line v4'7, claim '7 for "line" read layer and for "layer" read line;

and that the said Letters atent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealedthis 29th day of September, A. D. 1936.

(Seal) Henry'van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents.

decorated. Its nature is such that it can be easily rolled and unrolled or folded in successive fiat strips or rolled into fiat bolts as desired either before'or after final decoration and use as ornamental shelving. Such rolling or folding for shipment or storage will not cause disturbing creases or impair the decorative properties of this material when it is used for shelving because the corrugated material with its backing is very flexible parallel to the corrugations and the axis of the rolled, folded or bolted packages. This feature is in no wise true of the paper shelving shown in previous patents.

The designs illustrated herein are purely for the purpose of illustration and example. -Therefore while I have shown such examples and illustrated a conventional corrugating machine rolled longitudinally, comprising a sheet of fiexible material defining a shelf engaging portion, and an ornamental corrugated sheet connected to and overlying a portion of the first sheet with the ends of the corrugations terminating in the uncovered area of the first sheet, said corrugated sheet adapted to depend from the shelf engaging portion when the first sheet is folded longitudinally.

2. A decorative shelf covering capable of being rolled longitudinally, comprising a sheet of relatively smooth, flexible, paper-like material defining a shelf engaging portion, and an ornamental corrugated sheetoi' paper-like material superposed upon and adhered to a portion of the first sheet throughout the area of the corrugated sheet, with the ends of the corrugations terminating in the uncovered area of the first sheet, said corrugated sheet adapted to depend from the shelf engaging portion and be exposed when the first sheet is folded longitudinally.

3. A decorative shelf covering capable of being rolled longitudinally, comprising a sheet of CERTIFICATE Patent No. 2,045,849

the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

ALBERT L. CENTER.

flexible material defining a shelf engaging portion, and an ornamental corrugated sheet connected to and overlying a portion of the first sheet, with the corrugations extending transversely of the first sheet, said corrugated sheet adapted to depend from the shelf engaging portion when the first sheet is folded longitudinally along a line adjacent the ends of said corrugations. l

4. A decorative shelf covering capable of being 10 rolled longitudinally, comprising a sheet of relatively smooth, flexible, paper-like material defining a shelf engaging portion, and an ornamental corrugated sheet of paper-like material superposed upon and adhered to a portion of the first sheet throughout the area of the corrugated sheet, with the ends of the corrugations terminating in the uncovered area of the first sheet, said corrugated sheet adapted to depend from the shelf engaging portion and be exposed when the first 20 sheet is folded longitudinally, the exposed portion of the first sheet being of substantially greater area than the area of the corrugated portion.

5. A decorative laminated flexible shelf covering material comprising a backing layer, a second 5 layer connected to and overlying a portion of the backing layer, and an ornamental corrugated layer adhered to and overlying said second layer, the exposed area of the backing layer constituting a shelf engaging portionand said ornamental 3 corrugated layer adapted to depend therefrom when the backing layer is folded longitudinally.

6. A decorative laminated flexible shelf covering comprising a backing layer, a second layer adhered thereto and overlying a portion of the backing layer, and an ornamental corrugated layer adhered to and overlying said second layer, said laminated covering being folded along a line adjacent said corrugated layer whereby the backing constitutes a shelf engaging portion and the corrugated layer depends therefrom.

'I. A decorative laminated flexible shelf covering comprising a backing layer, a second layer connected to and overlying a portion of the backing layer, and an ornamental corrugated layer 45 adhered to and overlying said second layer, said backing line being folded along a layer within the confines of said corrugated layer to form a shelf engaging portion lying in a plane below the adiacent edge of the depending corrugated layer.

' ALBERT L. GENTER.

OF CORRECTION.

Julie 30, 1936'.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of Page 4, second column, line v4'7, claim '7 for "line" read layer and for "layer" read line;

and that the said Letters atent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealedthis 29th day of September, A. D. 1936.

(Seal) Henry'van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

